Multiple JUNO Award-winner Hilario Durán grew up in Havana in a musical family surrounded by a variety of diverse musical influences on a daily basis. He began working as a professional musician in Cuba’s Los Papa Cun­-Cun Ensemble and in a variety of musical formats. Later on, in the 1970s, Durán was Chucho Valdés’ chosen successor in Cuba’s most modern big band, Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. Hilario toured worldwide and performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Michel Legrand, among many others, and as part of Arturo Sandoval’s band where he was pianist/keyboardist, arranger and musical director for nine years.

Hilario is an adjunct piano professor and ensemble director at Humber College. Contumbao is his most recent recording as a band leader.